That was where the mistake came in. Each of the pale girls might have shown no thoughts or ideas, but that didn't mean that they didn't have them. They just saw no reason for exposing their thoughts, and had nothing connecting them to the world around them, pulling them to be a part of it.
Rei had that connection in her Master, and was interested in seeing what it could lead her too. As it was, she wished to do things for him, and was concerned for his well being, unlike with his father or the corporation that had birthed her. Her loyalty belonged to Ranma Saotome, and she knew that she could do a lot for him.
She wasn't simply some doll, after all.
Kazukiyo Gowa sat at his desk, and knew that it was an oddity among those of his generation, many of whom aimed for more modern furniture when they got to his level of business. But coming from a traditional family, he'd always seen great need for symbols, and having this sort of workspace made a statement about him that could not be ignored. However, like much in his life, it was only a tool to use for whatever benefits that he could get out of it.
So, it was easy to turn his chair to the side and steeple his hands in front of himself. "So, how did the process go?"
"Great," his brother, Kiyotsugu, replied, leaning his elbows on his thighs as he folded his hands between his knees. "It's some of our best work."
"I see. And the feed?"
"Coming in loud and clear. We get data on the Saotome kid in real life. Slavegirl doesn't even know she's doing it."
"That's because your people made it independent of her body or mind. It won't depend on her for anything."
"Which is a good thing, considering how messed up they've shown themselves to be."
"Every step forward has its set backs. And it's up to people like you to figure out how to fix those problems. And you're the one who likes that sort of challenge."
"Pretty much," admitted the younger Gowa, with a grin, looking like he should be in a room full of equipment and working on some problem... like back in his own lab.
"We didn't expect to have a major success right off the bat, after all. The malfunctions of what have already been created can show us how to work better on our main projects."
"Except for the ones that are actually working."
"Exactly. To have a viable subject is helpful. Our plans can go ahead faster if we know what this one can do. And the boy has possible... benefits outside of simple behavior stimulations."
"When can I expect to hear that he's been brought in?"
The elder brother raised a brow, and acknowledged his brother's willingness to go with what was going on as the mark of a proper member of the family. "Not too soon. We have challenges awaiting us, and the chance to have future models viable is just too important. So, there has been some discussion on 'arranging' another slave for him, to 'enhance' our chances."
"You mean giving him another prefab girl?"
"I take it that you mean one like the one he has now. And that was considered, but shelved for now. We need to have them able to act, instead of standing around."
"Ah. Then we can go with some of the others, then," Kiyotsugu replied.
"Pardon?"
"You think that we just went automatically to fully made creations? We've done experimentation on test subjects, remember? Originally, we were going to go with enhanced slaves, but when the gene splicers realized what they could do.... Well, it made more sense to build a slave to specifications, rather than try to have us depend on using available subjects who we could get a standard enhancement with. Though, some of them do have their uses...."
"True. And we may have some use for them later, though the main consensus at the moment that if we were to get him a new slave, it would be one that was naturally born, and had a personality. Probably a regular one to. Which isn't to say that we can't use our 'special' ones later."
"Of course. In fact, we have a few that have been enhanced in... special ways."
"We may have to use them, but only when it becomes necessary. I'd prefer to not have those idiots over in the government sniffing around."
"They can be really bothersome. Fortunately, we don't have to worry about them complaining about 'unwilling test subjects'. As if you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs."
"And soon, we'll be making the best 'omelette' the world has ever seen," Kazukiyo agreed, twisting his mouth slightly in amusement, while:
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(Posted Sat, 10 Sep 2005 23:16)
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